The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1887-07-09
GRAFTON.


70 address you ut tins meeting was ac-
cepted by me with great reluctance, for
am not a public speaker, and besides
that, have too much business ON hand
TO enable me TO prepare an address. /,
therefore, crave your indulgence for
what have To say and join with
you in the regretiul wish that some one
else might have occupied the platform
and given you an Grafton more worthy
Of this audience and this occasion. One
hundred and eleven years ago to-day, a
body OF men forming what was styled
'The Continental Congress, was in ses-
sion in Carpenter hall in the city OF Phil
adelphia. These men were called trail
tors by the English government and
many OF them had prices set ON their
heads and large numbers OF armed men
were seeking to effect their arrest, be-
cause for some time they had been re-
sisting the constituted authorities and
carrying on what was known ms rebell-
ion. These men were the representatives
OF the so called colonies Of Great Britain
which was first settled by English, French
Dutch and Swedes They had been in
session since September 3, 1774, and
had finally determined that the only
way in which they could obtain their
rights was to set up an independent gov
eminent. This conclusion was reached
by the passage OF a formal resolution to
that effect July 2, 1776. A committee,
consisting OF Thomas Jefferson, Benia-
min Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sher-
man and II. X. Livingston, was APP
pointed TO draft a declaration which
should be published TO the world. Two
days later this committee made It's re-
port which, after "A lengthy and by no
means harmonious debate, was finally
adopted. Thus was the decisive step
taken which finally led to the formation
Of the government under which we now
live. In these days OF peace, quietness
and prosperity il il impossible for III TO
fully realize the political situation of
these men That first American con-
gress was composed OF cleigymen, doc
tors, merchants, lawyers, farmers and
business men OF various kinds, and in
point OF mental ability, force OF charac-
ter, social standing, answering devotion
TO duty, integrity and true patriotism
was, to say the least, fully up 10 the
standard OF our last congress. BY
adopting the Declaration OF Independence
which you have heard read today, those
men placed themselves and their con-
stituents beyond the pale OF ordinary
law and lett their case Co the arbitra-
ment OF battle, which Is the court OF last
resort for the settlement Of controversies
between nations or large bodies Of pco-
Pile. They well know that by taking this
course their lives would pay the forfeitin
case OF defeat and they would bc men
toned in history as vile rebels against
the doctrine Of the divine right OF kings
who were justly executed In expiation OF
their crime. Their private fortunes were
ALSO staked ON the issue and when peace
dence OF the colonies mt last fully cstab-
lished, most Of them were financially
bankrupt. In these days men spend
large sums OF money To secure an cleo
ton for two years term in congress
without the slightest expectation Of be.
ing bankrupt Mt it's close. But those
men wese successful in establishing an in
dependent form Of govcrnmentand there
by achieved world wide reputation as
patriots. One man goes exploring for
iron and the best thing Inc finds Is highly
oxydized water. His neighbor digs a
hole in the ground somewhere and finds
ore. The first IL Stunned by his ac-
quaintances and privately denounced as
fool and a crank, while the latter is
looked upon as nm eminent geologist and
his opinion il sought after by other ore
seekers. A man finds rich silver mine
is some remote locality and gets money
enough out OF IL To buy seat i'm the
United States senate. No matter II he is
unable 10 write his own name in legible
manner, his position makes him states
man and his wealth qualities him To be
quoted as an authority on the great
financial questions which interest the
mass Of the people, while the college pro-
lessor who has made a life long study OF
political economy, but has had no time
TO accumulate money, is called a vain
theorist and vendor Of abstract ideas.
Among the people Of the colonies there
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